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Uproar over abuse of dog – but silence over human deaths in custody?

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Yes, we must value animals but we must equally value humans, if not more, says Wishful Accountant.

I read with much fascination how Malaysians and others have expressed outrage over the abuse of a dog.

I wish we would protest with such zest and purpose when we come across cases of deaths in custody.

Yes, we must value animals but we must equally value humans, if not more. The lives of our fellow human beings are as important as ours. Each dead person surely has someone who loved him or her and will feel the loss.

Imagine your loved one being picked up – perhaps even by mistake or after being wrongly identified – and then he or she doesn’t return home; how would you feel?

Maybe many believe that one fewer criminal on the streets will be one fewer criminal to worry about. But, as lawyers and activists have often reminded us, some of those who died in custody had not yet even been charged, let alone tried in court. And yet, they have been sent to meet their maker sooner than they should have.

If these victims were guilty, then a thorough investigation and fair trial (with the accused being allowed to defend himself or herself) would invariably have resulted in their being accused being convicted and sentenced by a learned judge.

A great man once said society is ranked according to how it treats its animals. If the Mahatma were alive, he probably would have mentioned foreign workers as well.

In both these respects, we fail miserably; therefore it is no wonder many of us don’t seem to value human life – whether it is accidents at construction sites or those caused by buses and drivers that should not be on the road or the acts of negligent law enforcers.

READ MORE:  Ensure independent probe into Callum Luxton's death in custody

Wishful Accountant, who practises his trade, is a keen customer services and rights champion who spends his own time and resources chasing banks, utility providers, highway concessionaires and local councils on various public interest issues. Occasionally, he feels compelled to comment on political and social issues.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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Patricia Anne Martinez
18 Apr 2017 9.10pm

Can we not equate both and force a dichotomous choice as if it is a dilemma? BOTH need compassion, activism and caring. Dogs have a very bad deal in Malaysian because some note some Muslims carry out the ‘haram’ into sheer cruelty including City Councils. Animal Shleters like the Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue has documented this.

Please don’t make false dichotomies where we don’t need them.

Diane Levinson
17 Apr 2017 2.26am

He is a moron!! Two different issues! Dogs are always innocent! Humans……. questionable…….!

Isaac Heng
16 Apr 2017 1.38pm

In Malaysia how many DEATH in custody meaning in POLICE detention if i not wrong as what the writer implying. In fact the family with lawyers did tried to get answer from the very first death in detention case but goes no where or some still under investigation for years. We also are uproar and angry that 5 people been lost or kidnap without traces. Nightly they did prays and gathering asking relevant authorities for answers…NONE till today. The Furby case we make so much noise regard the abuse until today NONE authorities gave us an answer…what is the condition of Furby…UNKNOWN. Everything under investigation…we only manage to get foreign suppliers to cut ties with the bastard business with 100% success and VERY QUICK RESPOND and REPLY. Malaysia JUNGLE LAW is something we are sick and tired of it. Did you go to the FRUBY protest we were ask to dismiss even before we started the protest by police personal. We weren’t doing anything wrong. We are upset even criminals are human we outsider can’t get involve much as we don’t know much about the case.… Read more »

Joachim Lai
16 Apr 2017 8.11am

Can we conclude that, in Malaysia, a human life is worth less than a dog’s life?

Siew Eng Chuah
16 Apr 2017 7.37am

I understand where the writer is coming from but wonder whether they have or ever had an animal companion, especially dogs. It doesn’t seem like it or they would know why people are more than ready to come forth in defence of a this dog. It’s the unconditional love that’s rarely found among humans because animals are innocent.

PL Lee
15 Apr 2017 5.52pm

Concur

Joo Guan
15 Apr 2017 4.51pm

My guess is most people are only dare to challenge the easy targets.

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